The University of Pennsylvania was found to have "violated Title IX by denying women equal opportunities by permitting males to compete in women’s intercollegiate athletics and to occupy women-only intimate facilities," the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced Monday.

The OCR said it will give the university 10 days to be in compliance with Title IX or risk facing a criminal referral to the Justice Department.

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"Little girls who look up to Riley Gaines and Paula Scanlan can find hope in today’s action – the Trump Administration will not allow male athletes to invade female private spaces or compete in female categories," acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor said in a news release.

"UPenn has a choice to make: do the right thing for its female students and come into full compliance with Title IX immediately or continue to advance an extremist political project that violates federal antidiscrimination law and puts UPenn’s federal funding at risk."

Fox News Digital reached out to the University of Pennsylvania for comment.

The OCR demanded that the school issue a statement on its intention to follow Title IX along with two other key actions.

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"Restore to all female athletes all individual athletic records, titles, honors, awards or similar recognition for Division I swimming competitions misappropriated by male athletes competing in female categories.

"Send a letter to each female athlete whose individual recognition is restored expressing an apology on behalf of the University for allowing her educational experience in athletics to be marred by sex discrimination."

The issue stemmed from Lia Thomas’ participation on the women’s swim team during the 2021-22 season, becoming the first transgender woman to win a national championship. Thomas broke multiple records at the school as well.

Paula Scanlan, a former teammate of Thomas’ at the time, detailed to congressional lawmakers what she had to deal with in emotional testimony in 2023.

Thomas was able to compete at the NCAA Division I women’s level due to the organization's gender-participation policy at the time.

President Donald Trump has since signed an executive order to ban biological males from women’s and girls’ sports. The NCAA altered its policy in an attempt to comply, but women’s sports advocates have said the change didn’t go far enough.

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Heeding the call to ban artificial ingredients by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., PepsiCo isn't wasting any time getting started. 

Ramon Laguarta, PepsiCo Inc. chair and chief executive officer, said in an April 24 conference call that the company will reduce artificial ingredients and has already begun doing so, as Food Business News reported.

"We've been leading the transformation of the industry now for a long time on sodium reduction, sugar reduction and better fats," Laguarta said.

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"Sixty percent-plus of our (portfolio) today doesn't have any artificial colors," he said — and the company is "undergoing that transition."

Laguarta cited examples such as Lay's and Tostitos, which "will be out of artificial colors by the end of this year."

He added, "So, we're well underway."

RFK Jr. and Dr. Martin Makary, U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner, announced a ban on petroleum-based synthetic dyes from America's food supply last Tuesday.

As the HHS noted in its news release, among the steps to be taken are "establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives."

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"Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings — Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B — within the coming months; and working with industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes — FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2 — from the food supply by the end of next year."

Certified nutritionist and "Make America Healthy Again" supporter Liana Werner-Gray told Fox News Digital, "This is a huge win for public health and long overdue."

Werner-Gray is the author "The Earth Diet," which began as a blog about what she ate to help promote healing and remedy her health problems after she was diagnosed with cancer. 

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The Earth Diet, she said, is "all about going back to nature and eating foods from nature, eating real nutrition, eating foods that God provides us with naturally," she told Fox News Digital.

"I've personally eliminated artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and others from my diet over 16 years ago when I started The Earth Diet, living a natural lifestyle," Werner-Gray said.

She would suffer from frequent major mood swings, anxiety, skin breakouts and energy crashes, as well as strong impulsive urges to eat processed food, she said.

"Once I removed these dyes and switched to natural, whole-food-based alternatives, those symptoms went away, too," Werner-Gray said, adding that her clients have reported similar outcomes. 

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In Werner-Gray's opinion, the manipulation of food has gone on far too long, she said.

"This move by the FDA under Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary's leadership is a pivotal step toward restoring integrity in our food system," she said. 

"It's time we raise the standard. Clean, natural and nourishing food should be the norm, not a luxury."

In the April 24 conference call, PepsiCo's CEO noted that its chips, puffs and other snacks are safe to consume and that the company stands by the existing science, according to reports.

"Every consumer will have the opportunity to choose what they prefer," said Laguarta.

Fox News Digital reached out to PepsiCo for additional comment.